Former Miss Universe Contestant Kseniya Alexandrova Dies at 30 After Tragic Collision with Elk

The Russian beauty queen, model, and psychologist succumbed to severe head injuries weeks after a devastating car accident on the M9 highway.

Kseniya Alexandrova, a model and psychologist who proudly represented Russia at the 2017 Miss Universe pageant, has tragically died at the age of 30.

The former beauty queen sustained fatal head injuries after a car collision with an elk in Russia’s Tver Oblast region. The accident occurred on July 5 as Alexandrova traveled with her husband, Ilya, along the country’s sprawling M9 highway.

According to Ilya, who was driving the vehicle, the tragedy unfolded in a split second.

“An elk jumped out from somewhere, jumped out in front of the car,” he told Russian news outlet RIA Novosti. “From the moment it jumped out until the impact, a split second passed. I did not have time to do anything. The elk flew into the car. The blow hit Kseniya in the head. She was unconscious, her head was broken, everything was covered in blood.”

Though both were wearing seatbelts and traveling at a low speed, the airbags failed to deploy. Several drivers stopped to assist, and Alexandrova was rushed to the Sklifosovsky Institute for Emergency Medicine in Moscow, where she remained in a coma for over a month before succumbing to her injuries on August 12, 2025.

Her modeling agency, Modus Vivendis, paid tribute to her in a heartfelt Instagram post:

“Kseniya was vibrant, talented, and exceptionally bright. She knew how to inspire, support, and give warmth to everyone around her. For us, she will forever remain a symbol of beauty, kindness, and inner strength.”

Born in Russia, Alexandrova rose to prominence as a model and went on to represent her country in the Miss Universe 2017 pageant, where Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa was crowned winner. Beyond modeling, she pursued psychology, earning her degree from the Moscow Pedagogical State University in 2022, and later practiced professionally.

Alexandrova had also recently celebrated a new chapter in her personal life. She married Ilya in March, sharing memories from their wedding in April on Instagram with the caption:

“I never thought that one event could resonate inside me for so long. I remember every second, and it feels like I’m still experiencing that whirlwind of emotions.”

Her untimely passing leaves a void in the hearts of her loved ones and admirers worldwide, remembered not only for her beauty and grace but also for her compassion and intellect.